What it is
Camelback Mountain is the red-rock landmark you can see from half the pool decks and rooftop bars in town, and its Cholla Trail is one of the tougher hikes in the Phoenix area — steep, exposed, no shade. Most groups don't try it solo; the guided Camelback E-Bike & Hike Tour covers a scenic e-bike leg through Paradise Valley (canals, celebrity real estate, golf clubs) before parking the bikes and hiking part of the Cholla Trail with a local guide who sets the pace and handles safety.
You can push as far up the trail as the group wants — some stop early, others go closer to the marked summit points. Bikes, helmets, water, and an audio guide system are included, so nobody's carrying gear or navigating blind.
Why it works for the group
It's a straightforward "earn it" morning: get some legit exercise and a genuinely tough climb in before the group spends the rest of the trip on a golf cart, at a pool bar, or bottle-service-deep at a nightclub. The e-bike section keeps the whole outing manageable even for guys who aren't in hiking shape, and the guide takes the "did we get lost / did someone bail halfway up" problem off the table entirely.
Book it for day one, morning, before anyone's hungover — this isn't the activity to attempt after a Friday night in Old Town.
Planning tips
When to book: Early slots book up fastest and beat the heat — book at least a couple weeks out, especially spring/fall when conditions are best for actually reaching higher up the trail. Midsummer tours sometimes get the hike portion shortened if rangers close the trail for heat.
What to budget: ~$135 per person (2026), gear and water included. Tip the guide separately.
Time to set aside: 2.5 hours guided, plus buffer before/after for gear and cooldown — treat it as a half-morning block.
Good to know
- Where: Meets at Segway of Scottsdale, 7330 E Earll Dr #R; route runs through Paradise Valley to Camelback's Cholla Trail.
- Duration: 2.5 hours.
- Price: ~$135/person (2026).
- Group size: Small groups, capped around 8 per tour.
- Restrictions: Minimum age 12; not for those with heart/back conditions; not wheelchair accessible.
